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Voting still open for Flint dog shelter to win year's supply of dog food

Bruised But Not Broken

Phil Hogendyk poses with rescue dog Capone in front of his office on Ann Arbor Street in Flint Tuesday, Feb. 5 2013.
Phil Hogendyk poses with rescue dog Capone in front of his office on Ann Arbor St. in Flint Tuesday, Feb. 5. Hogendyk used online fundraising to run Bruised But Not Broken dog rescue but has decided to stop asking for donations.
(Lauren Justice | MLive.com)

FLINT, MI – Stray and suffering dogs in Flint could soon have an upgrade to the food in their bowls.

Entering the Dog for Dog food last month, Bruised But Not Broken Canine Rescue of Flint is looking to garner a national spotlight, and acquire thousands of pounds of high-quality, grain-free organic dog food.

"It's been amazing to get some attention for our organization," said Phil Hogendyk, director of Bruised But Not Broken. "We take stray dogs, fighting dogs off the streets of Flint. I've done some pretty dicey things to save dogs. It's good to get recognition."

The contest, which saw 650 nonprofit dog shelters across the nation enter, offers a year's supply of Dog for Dog food for first place, and 25,000 pounds for second place.

Currently in fourth place, Hogendyk said that even a second-place win would make a huge difference to his organization.

"Just to put us on the map, representing Flint and Grand Blanc, is what we're really excited about," he said. "It's one of our biggest expenses, feeding these guys. They're big dogs."

Hogendyk estimated Bruised But Not Broken spends $200 to $250 per month on food for the rescued canines. He said the shelter goes through about seven 30-pound bags per month.

The 501 C3 nonprofit operates without any sponsors, and is funded purely on a donation basis.

"If we could just get second place, we'd be really happy," Hogendyk said. "The community loves what we do, and people really know what we're about."

Dog for Dog food has been endorsed by celebrities including Snoop Dog, Chelsea Handler and Michael Buble.

"It's not even cheap dog food," Hogendyk said. "It's like $60 for a 30-pound bag. This has been amazing to get attention for our organization."

Voting for the contest ends on Friday, July 11. Individuals can vote every day until the deadline.

Bruised But Not Broken is one of four shelters from Michigan, and currently the top placer from the state in the contest.